3 Rules for Reliable Pig Pedigrees in Breeding

This document outlines the three essential rules for ensuring reliable pig pedigrees in Nustrale breeding: controlling mating, ear tagging piglets before weaning, and accurate pedigree registration via completed litter statements. These practices preserve genetic diversity, enhance robustness and meat quality, prevent defects and reproductive issues, and support breeding for intramuscular fat—critical for tenderness, juiciness, and PDO compliance. They also enable effective management of the Ryri (halothane) mutation, reducing risks of pale, soft, exudative meat and cardiac pigs. The process includes locking sows and boars in service pens, confirming no return to heat 21 days post-mating, and recording data in a dedicated system. Funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme (Grant Agreement No 101000236), this work reflects only the authors’ views and not the European Commission’s.